Dr Nicola Byrom

Frontiers | Student perspectives on their digital footprint in virtual learning environments The prevalence of mental distress among young adults, including those at university, has increased. In this context, learning analytics, students’ digital tr...

Ethical VLE data policies should treat students as “data owners.” Co-developing guidelines with students can enhance trust, autonomy, and mental well-being, ensuring data use aligns with their needs. URL:

An Argument for More High‐Quality Research Focused on Mental Health in the Post‐Secondary Context We argue that while a substantial proportion of emerging adults are in post-secondary education, there is relatively little consideration of this context within research and policy around youth menta...

Universities should adopt a settings-based approach to mental health—integrating well-being into academic life, campus design, and social structures. Support must go beyond individual interventions.
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Promoting mental health involves creating inclusive classroom environments. Proactive health promotion strategies detailed here:

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Students moving away for university face loneliness, isolation, and disrupted support networks. Universities must foster social connection to improve mental health outcomes.
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Academics want to support students.
They’re skilled, caring, and committed.
But without the right structure — it’s too much to carry alone.

We need systems that hold that care:
🔹 Clear boundaries
🔹 Supportive cultures

This isn’t just possible.
It’s happening.

doi.org/10.1111/jan....

Their wellbeing affects our wellbeing: student perspectives of lecturer wellbeing and its consequences for student wellbeing - Higher Education A “whole university approach” has been recommended for addressing concerns about the wellbeing of UK university lecturers and students. Previously, staff wellbeing has been explored from staff…

Empathy matters! Some students modify their behavior to support lecturers, showing how mutual respect & understanding shape the learning environment. Learn more: link.springer.com/article/10.1... #EmpathyInEducation

Improving reporting standards in quantitative educational intervention research: introducing the CLOSER and CIDER checklists - Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research In educational research, the complexity of interventions and the diversity of contexts challenge the adequacy of existing reporting standards, primarily tailored for health interventions and…

🔑 Good reporting isn't just about transparency—it strengthens evidence-based practice in education. CLOSER and CIDER aim to build trust and comparability in intervention research. Details:

Listening. Encouraging. Checking in. Reaching out.
This is the invisible labour many healthcare academics take on.
It’s powerful. It’s human.
But it’s also draining — and rarely acknowledged.
💡 What if universities made it easier to care?
Better recognition. Better systems.

Frontiers | Student perspectives on their digital footprint in virtual learning environments The prevalence of mental distress among young adults, including those at university, has increased. In this context, learning analytics, students’ digital tr...

Aggregate data use for improvement gets student approval, but concerns arise about individual data misuse. Use of VLE analytics matter. Participants believe they should control who sees their data and for what purposes. Read:

Seeking support for an eating disorder: a qualitative analysis of the university student experience—accessibility of support for students - Journal of Eating Disorders Background While there is increased concern around mental health problems in universities, the experience of students with eating disorders (EDs) has received less attention. This is problematic as…

Complex and rigid referral pathways, such as BMI-based treatment eligibility, exclude many students with EDs. More inclusive criteria could improve access. Learn more:

Healthcare training can take students into tough territory.
Some content stirs up past experiences.
Some placements land harder than expected.
But here’s the good news:
We can design better.

doi.org/10.1111/jan....

PHQ-9's history reveals a focus on physician needs, not patient narratives, raising ethical concerns. Learn more: www.cambridge.org/core/service... #Ethics

Their wellbeing affects our wellbeing: student perspectives of lecturer wellbeing and its consequences for student wellbeing - Higher Education A “whole university approach” has been recommended for addressing concerns about the wellbeing of UK university lecturers and students. Previously, staff wellbeing has been explored from staff…

Universities should focus on manageable workloads, small class sizes, and fewer admin tasks to protect lecturer wellbeing, benefiting the whole academic community. Study: link.springer.com/article/10.1... #HigherEdLeadership

Positive affective skills—like active listening & non-judgmental support—are central to effective mental health training for faculty. Read insights:

Academics on healthcare courses often feel torn between two roles: teacher and clinician.
But these blurred lines also reflect deep care.
Your skills, empathy and instincts matter — especially when students don’t know where else to turn.

Improving reporting standards in quantitative educational intervention research: introducing the CLOSER and CIDER checklists - Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research In educational research, the complexity of interventions and the diversity of contexts challenge the adequacy of existing reporting standards, primarily tailored for health interventions and…

🌍 Educational interventions often vary across contexts. CLOSER and CIDER promote transparent reporting, making research findings easier to apply in diverse settings. Learn more:

Critics warn PHQ-9 promotes "value capture"—reducing personal distress to oversimplified metrics. Full discussion: www.cambridge.org/core/service... #PhilosophyOfScience

Frontiers | Student perspectives on their digital footprint in virtual learning environments The prevalence of mental distress among young adults, including those at university, has increased. In this context, learning analytics, students’ digital tr...

Personalized support or unwanted surveillance? Students show a mixed preference for how their digital footprints should be used. Details here:

Their wellbeing affects our wellbeing: student perspectives of lecturer wellbeing and its consequences for student wellbeing - Higher Education A “whole university approach” has been recommended for addressing concerns about the wellbeing of UK university lecturers and students. Previously, staff wellbeing has been explored from staff…

Students recognize a reciprocal cycle: Happy, engaged lecturers lead to better student engagement & outcomes. This highlights the need for holistic wellbeing strategies. Article: link.springer.com/article/10.1... #EducationReform

Faculty training focuses on recognizing mental health distress, building supportive interactions, & promoting wellbeing. Full scoping review: www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1... #HEILeadership

Healthcare academics often carry dual responsibilities.
They care deeply about their students' wellbeing 💙
But they also have a duty to ensure patient safety 🏥
Sometimes these roles can feel in conflict.
But they share a common goal: keeping people safe, seen, and supported.

Read more evidence-based insights at 👉 www.unismart.org.uk/papers
#StudentMentalHealth #HigherEd #WholeUniversityApproach

that support services are only one part of the picture. Mental health is shaped by belonging, inclusion, housing, finances, relationships, and academic pressure.

We need to stop framing this as a crisis of individuals — and start designing universities that support wellbeing from the ground up.

to remember that the young people at university today are the people who had their adolescent years profoundly disrupted by the COVID lockdowns and the decision to shut schools. There were stark warnings at the time about the impact this would have on youth mental health.

Our research shows

Should student mental health responsibility fall to universities? The number of students reporting mental health concerns is rising. But to what extent should the onus be on universities?

🧵The BBC highlights a rise in student mental health issues. But there's more to this story.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Yes, demand for support is growing. But students aren’t “less resilient” — they’re facing real structural pressures, and they’re asking for better systems.

It is important

A novel conceptual model identifies how universities can support student Quality of Life (QoL), from fostering social connections to managing pressures. Details:

Scales like PHQ-9 can inadvertently shape experiences, termed "looping effects" by anthropologists. Implications: www.cambridge.org/core/service... #CulturalCritique

Improving reporting standards in quantitative educational intervention research: introducing the CLOSER and CIDER checklists - Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research In educational research, the complexity of interventions and the diversity of contexts challenge the adequacy of existing reporting standards, primarily tailored for health interventions and…

📄 CIDER provides a structured approach to describing educational interventions—detailing content, delivery, timing, and evaluation—making interventions easier to replicate. Full checklist here:

Many healthcare lecturers feel pulled between being an educator and a health professional.
But that dual identity can be a strength.
You know how to listen, support, and signpost — and that can make all the difference. 💙